Staff Mechanical Engineer

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.
As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.
Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.

Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.
Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

The Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a Staff Mechanical Engineer with a focus on the development of new instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel concept for a new application of surgical robotics from proof of concept through detailed mechanical design, prototype manufacturing, and pilot level manufacturing. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team in the early phases of product development.

The Future Forward team at Intuitive is a cross-functional team dedicated to the creation of the innovative medical robotic platforms, technologies and programs. We create transformational technologies in order to address the major pain points and unmet needs in our healthcare system. Our goal is to create the future of healthcare through platforms and ecosystems that empower providers and teams in order to deliver transformational life-enhancing care.

The Staff Mechanical Engineer will develop robotic instrumentation for systems for minimally invasive surgical applications. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials and manufacturing design issues and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot to root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, small-team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing creating and innovative engineering solutions. A solid sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Essential Job Duties

• Work in a small, cross-functional project team to design, develop, and verify robotic surgical instruments and the interface between robotic instruments and systems
• Develop test methods, fixtures, and measurement tools to evaluate the performance of individual components, sub-assemblies, and full assemblies
• Draw upon deep understanding of machining and injection molding fabrication techniques as well as develop internal capabilities and partner with vendors to push the boundary of performance while maintaining scalability
• Implement DFX best practices such as design for manufacturing, usability, and reliability on next generation devices
• Generate requirements, design specifications, and test methods that drive product safety, performance, and durability
• Develop, implement, test, and document new solutions, processes and designs according to corporate standards and departmental operating procedures
• Hands-on assembly and testing of equipment and devices to support proof of concept, design development, pre-clinical, and V&V activities
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings
• Generate and execute test methods to investigate and establish root cause of design, manufacturing, or material defects
• Research and review literature and prior art to inform design recommendations and architectures
• Observe clinical cases and participate in interviews with clinical experts to inform designs
• Provide support for pre-clinical and clinical labs
• Development and documentation of design and manufacturing including: inspection procedures, assembly instructions, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 8 years of experience developing medical devices; flexible instruments is a plus
• A passion for solving tough technical problems – Solid mechanical intuition and persistence to identify the root cause of a problem, solving problems using first principles
• Expertise in medical device fabrication methods such as machining and injection molding required. Other methods such as laser cutting and welding, wire EDM, stamping, braiding, and coiling is a plus
• Proven track record of taking products from early concept feasibility to market. Medical devices is an exceptional plus
• Exceptional aptitude for experimental design, testing, and data analysis; experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical analysis is an exceptional plus
• Knowledge of materials, plastics, metals, composites is an exceptional plus
• Demonstrated ability to think at a systems level, interface between multiple design groups, and negotiate conflicting requirements
• Proficiency using CAD to design parts and assemblies, creating specification drawings in a PDM environment; Solidworks highly preferred
• Experience with electromechanical design is an exceptional plus (Robotics experience preferred)
• Familiar with in all phases of product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and transfer
• Familiar with Product Lifecycle Management documentation control systems
• High autonomy and ability to work autonomously under limited supervision to establish and develop approach to solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills; Able to manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously
• Excellent documentation and communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19. Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target salary ranges are listed.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

EEO and AA Policy

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target salary ranges are listed.